Rhys Priestland-what did I tell you!

First topic message reminder :

I for one am one of the few to have not fallen into the illusion that Rhys Priestland is the next big thing in world rugby.Priestland showed today during the match against England all of the problems with his fluctuating game.Last week I said that Priestland was a mediocre tackler (better than Ronan O'Gara)but after that display I'd say he is right up their with the worst of them.
Every time he seemed to get the ball his first instinct was to kick , half the time he didn't even look up to see what was on but stared down at the ball and kicked aimlessly into the middle of the pitch.One of those times he was charged down which resulted in an England penalty and his sending off.
At this point I was thinking England actually have a chance is this exciting game however the sending off of the "brilliant" Priestland seemed to have only strengthened the Welsh giants , this is backed up by the fact that in that 10 minute time period Wales got 3 points and England got 0.
If you have an outhalf who can't place kick , can't tackle and can't kick for touch then you can't win against the power houses of world rugby and it is as simple as that.

I think it is quite clear to anyone with eyes that Tuilagi did punch many holes in the welsh defence

hugo124 wrote:I for one am one of the few to have not fallen into the illusion that Rhys Priestland is the next big thing in world rugby.Priestland showed today during the match against England all of the problems with his fluctuating game.Last week I said that Priestland was a mediocre tackler (better than Ronan O'Gara)but after that display I'd say he is right up their with the worst of them.
Every time he seemed to get the ball his first instinct was to kick , half the time he didn't even look up to see what was on but stared down at the ball and kicked aimlessly into the middle of the pitch.One of those times he was charged down which resulted in an England penalty and his sending off.
At this point I was thinking England actually have a chance is this exciting game however the sending off of the "brilliant" Priestland seemed to have only strengthened the Welsh giants , this is backed up by the fact that in that 10 minute time period Wales got 3 points and England got 0.
If you have an outhalf who can't place kick , can't tackle and can't kick for touch then you can't win against the power houses of world rugby and it is as simple as that.

The only conclusion from this opening salvo is one of the following
:The Priest

1. Got better grades than you in college, whilst managing to go up the rugby ladder
2. Has chatted up your Wife/GF/BF successfully
3. YOU KNOW LESS THAN NOTHING ABOUT RUGBY

RP had a poor game, his inexperience and nervousness shone through , but to say he can't or didnt tackle is just laughable and must be quite embarressing for you if you looked at his performance again. More importantly he has shown in previous games that he can kick, tackle, and more important for a flyhalf he can see all the options before him

"One poor game does a poor flyhalf make"

A very poor attempt at a WUM, 0/10 for transparency

So Rory, why don't you tell us the amount of times he broke through our defence? It might just be me, but I counted a total of zero times.

He beat 4 defenders, so statistically 4 times. Though he was a threat to Wales nearly every time he got the ball. It is a pity he had Ashton outside him most of the time. Otherwise he had fun barrelling through Roberts etc.

Morgannwg - can't agree, I'm afraid. Priestland's performance was considerably worse than anything Biggar has produced for Wales. But Biggar got called out by Howley and booted from the squad.

As for being 'targetted' - nonsense. Nobody forced him to miss those penalties to touch, get turned over in his own 22, kick away possession in the England 22, or get charged down by a lumbering second rower who tooka 20 yard run-up.

I don't remember Manu beating 4 defenders, nor him barrelling through Roberts. He could have done the latter though as I think Jamie might have been carrying an injury. Still, not punching holes in our defence.

Your bitterness is getting boring now, any chance to slag off a welsh player via this online forum you sieze. You need to move on and just accept Wales beat you 3 in a row and ARE the better team.

Priestland was very poor and thoroughly outplayed by a rookie (who had an exceptional game I thought). In general Wales nearly lost to a totally new look side. As stand said, I am very jealous as an Ireland fan.

Morgannwg wrote:I don't remember Manu beating 4 defenders, nor him barrelling through Roberts. He could have done the latter though as I think Jamie might have been carrying an injury. Still, not punching holes in our defence.

Your bitterness is getting boring now, any chance to slag off a welsh player via this online forum you sieze. You need to move on and just accept Wales beat you 3 in a row and ARE the better team.

Oh for goodness sake..

If you don't remember Manu beating 4 defenders (if not more) I haven't a clue what game you were watching. Nor am I slagging the welsh players. You need to learn how to accept criticism, something many people learn at a much younger age than yourself. Grow up.

Rory your just a bitter guy. According to you our centres, wingers, halfbacks and back-row are overhyped and average. In spite of outplaying most of their opposition. Your constant bitching of Dan Lydiate and Priestland got tedious last week.

And I can see why your jealous, your ageing team couldn't beat a bunch of Welsh youngsters . So, do you think Ireland will lose to this totally new look side who are guided by a rookie?

These forums feel like talking to children these days..

My "constant bitching" of Lydiate, I am guessing you are referring to when I said he didn't deserve MOM or that I think he is overrated by the welsh? As for Priestland, he is yet to impress me. The welsh back row (with the exception of Warburton) is overrated IMO, and I feel it is the welsh backs who are the real stars of the show for wales. Also I have said before how class a player I think Davies is, and that he is the best welsh player atm.

And Ireland atm are crap. We got beat (narrowly) by a fully firing welsh side, with the worst centre partnership in the world. I wouldn't be that impressed really. Plus England could very easily beat us yes. There is nothing bitter about what I say, I think you just can't accept criticism, and unless I say "Wales are the best team in the world" you will always have something to whinge about. Like I said, grow up

Yes my point exactly Rory, that you are full of shoite. Bye for now, your making us yawn again.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:He beat 4 defenders, so statistically 4 times. Though he was a threat to Wales nearly every time he got the ball. It is a pity he had Ashton outside him most of the time. Otherwise he had fun barrelling through Roberts etc.

England made one linebreak all match and that was Strettle not Manu. As for its a pity he had Ashton outside him, since he didnt give Ashton a decent pass all game I think maybe its a shame Ashton has centres inside him who cant distribute teh ball. The issue with England is with their Attack as they quiet clearly are clueless in that area.

I understand your dissapointment at being beaten by Wales three times in a row now but honestly the bitterness is not good for you and this constant sniping at welsh players and the team since your defeat is just petty, Are you just another one of Grey Ghosts alternative posting identities?

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:I don't remember Manu beating 4 defenders, nor him barrelling through Roberts. He could have done the latter though as I think Jamie might have been carrying an injury. Still, not punching holes in our defence.

Your bitterness is getting boring now, any chance to slag off a welsh player via this online forum you sieze. You need to move on and just accept Wales beat you 3 in a row and ARE the better team.

Oh for goodness sake..

If you don't remember Manu beating 4 defenders (if not more) I haven't a clue what game you were watching. Nor am I slagging the welsh players. You need to learn how to accept criticism, something many people learn at a much younger age than yourself. Grow up.

Rory
Tuilagi DID make numerous runs (and on one occasion did run past 4 defenders) as did both sides of the midfield,


ps you should know by now that this guy is going to argue black is white with you............. I think blocking him is the only way the rest of us are not going to endure this continuous boring and transparent table tennis tete e tete

You welsh need to seriously learn how to take criticism without the usual "you were beat 3 times" comeback.

I think it is quite clear that Manu punched holes in the welsh defence. Are you honestly denying that? Because I find that pretty hilarious. Manu beat four defenders, according to the statistics. I saw that when he ran through Roberts once, Priestland twice, and I can't remember the other time. He was a constant threat. The fact you cannot admit that he was a constant thorn in your side is remarkable.

Priestland is a decent 10 and may yet make a good test player - but the hype around him has been tiresome.

He's been very average since the RWC warm-up games and was dire yesterday.

Hook was shunted from 10 into a utility role for far less. It'll be interesting to see if Gatland persists with Priestland.

I even think if we'd wheeled Stephen Jones out for the second half yesterday we would have won by another 2 scores.

Hugo I have read on here that someone said a while back that Priestland was an accident waiting to happen, if that was you then today you have been proven right.

I will say though that it was Priestlands first bad game for Wales, up until now he has played very well. In light of the fact he has played so well for Wales he should retain his place for the Italy game, but any hint of another shambles like that and he should be off the field and dropped.

Wales aren't good enough to carry players having such bad games to be honest. That needs to be a strict one off.

The one thing I have learned about Priestland is it only takes 1 little thing to go against him for his entire game to unravel, I think it is fair for people to start wondering if he really has the mental toughness for international rugby, he certainly has the talent.

How is knocking Priestland over whilst he is tackled anyway by another Welsh player running through him? You've never played rugby have you Rory let alone even taken part in a training session. Ah FHF the keyboard warrior, I'm suprised you aren't telling us how your 7 feet tall and 25 stone. Shaking in my boots, really...

Rory_Gallagher wrote:You welsh need to seriously learn how to take criticism without the usual "you were beat 3 times" comeback.

I think it is quite clear that Manu punched holes in the welsh defence. Are you honestly denying that? Because I find that pretty hilarious. Manu beat four defenders, according to the statistics. I saw that when he ran through Roberts once, Priestland twice, and I can't remember the other time. He was a constant threat. The fact you cannot admit that he was a constant thorn in your side is remarkable.

Ive never said that He was clearly Englands best player i attack but he didnt make any clean breaks did he? His failure to offload when Warbs brought him down at the line cost England a try and its a real problem for the English attack. Stats are quite clear on Manus contribution just like they are on Lydiates who again was one of our better players in a nmatch when we were poor all round he at least did the job we want.

FHF was that aimed at me?

Morgannwg wrote:How is knocking Priestland over whilst he is tackled anyway by another Welsh player running through him? You've never played rugby have you Rory let alone even taken part in a training session. Ah FHF the keyboard warrior, I'm suprised you aren't telling us how your 7 feet tall and 25 stone. Shaking in my boots, really...

and there you going Rory Mate.... proof of the pudding is in his immaturity

as I said only way to stop the silly billy is to block him

Wales winning really riles some people up to the point they have to make up some pointless statistics. This is like watching paint dry...

Ah Morg its you whose getting the scottish scarlets ire not me. just re read that.

Morgannwg wrote:Wales winning really riles some people up to the point they have to make up some pointless statistics. This is like watching paint dry...

http://www.espnscrum.com/six-nations-2012/rugby/match/133774.html

Just so you can't accuse me of making up statistics.

Yes TO, me. It is ironic that I'm called names and told I'm childish by these two posters, partiuclary FHF as Rory isn't worth the effort half the time. I love how FHF throws in some grenades then claims some stance of innocent and valid poster. Standing up for Wales and your player seems to rile him up.

Morgannwg wrote:Yes TO, me. It is ironic that I'm called names and told I'm childish by these two posters, partiuclary FHF as Rory isn't worth the effort half the time. I love how FHF throws in some grenades then claims some stance of innocent and valid poster. Standing up for Wales and your player seems to rile him up.

Its pretty clear Tuilagi went thro the Welsh defence quite a few times

Its pretty clear when Rory said he did ....you would have replied NO.............

Its pretty clear .............. you are consistent

FHF all I have said is that I didn't see MAnu run through our defence, as you actually have to run through it. I am going to get around to watching the recording some time and will happily admit if I am incorrect. It's just I have grown tired from your pals anti-wales team comments after each game.

To the original OP..............

Preistland had a very poor game but there have been some worst performances by a welsh back over the last 2-3 seasons, and they never seemed to be dropped.

As far as kicking is concerned, many International teams dont use the 10 as a dead ball kicker, France, Australia, Scotland (when Mossy played), so that shouldnt be an issue.

flyhalffactory wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:Yes TO, me. It is ironic that I'm called names and told I'm childish by these two posters, partiuclary FHF as Rory isn't worth the effort half the time. I love how FHF throws in some grenades then claims some stance of innocent and valid poster. Standing up for Wales and your player seems to rile him up.

Its pretty clear Tuilagi went thro the Welsh defence quite a few times

Its pretty clear when Rory said he did ....you would have replied NO.............

Its pretty clear .............. you are consistent

FHF Manu didnt make any clean linebreaks so its pretty clear he didnt go through the welsh defence quite a few times. Look at the stats Rory posted you can see that. Now I would hope you would admit that Im not that one eyed and actually I agree with Morgs tah Rory has an axe to grind which he has been grinding since the first week of the championship. Manu cost England one try yesterday and despite his physicality couldnt breach the welsh defensive line. He constantly looks for contact instead of gaps, he rearely offloads out of the tackle, he didnt give an outside pass all game to his wings.

flyhalffactory wrote:To the original OP..............

Preistland had a very poor game but there have been some worst performances by a welsh back over the last 2-3 seasons, and they never seemed to be dropped.

As far as kicking is concerned, many International teams dont use the 10 as a dead ball kicker, France, Australia, Scotland (when Mossy played), so that shouldnt be an issue.

I agree that players who play badly never seem to get dropped, however sometimes when you stick by a player through thick and thin you get that players loyalty and lets be honest as a coach having a core of lads who are loyal and listen to you can be worth far more than risking the occasional loss. Welsh players have a nasty habbit of turning on their coach and clearly Gatland is on top dollar with Wales and NEEDS to get the players to listen and play for him.

Lets be honest several players like Mike Phillips and James Hook were terrible in last years 6 nations and deserved to be dropped but Gatland has kept faith in them and they are playing for him. Others like Scott Williams, Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Warburton, Lydiate, Faletau, Priestland will also be loyal and grateful because he has taken most of them out of the reserve squads of regions and made them international players.

It almost as if Gatland is starting to turn into the Godfather with a lot of young guys looking up to him, and who are very loyal.

BTW, I posted an apology thread for the beneft of these users but it has been locked. I'm not sure what more I can do, so going to leave the matter for now and probably return to it in the aftermath of the Italy game.

Morgannwg wrote:FHF all I have said is that I didn't see MAnu run through our defence, as you actually have to run through it. I am going to get around to watching the recording some time and will happily admit if I am incorrect. It's just I have grown tired from your pals anti-wales team comments after each game.

If you are actually trying to argue that Priestland is a good tackler then you are possibly the biggest idiot I have come across in this forum.You really just have to accept when someone is right , Rory is a realistic judge of players and you live in your little fantasy land where you see something that no one else sees.It would be quite funny if you weren't welsh but somehow I think you are.I personally think although not on form James Hook is a quality player and Priestland just isn't international standard.

TycroesOsprey wrote:

flyhalffactory wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:Yes TO, me. It is ironic that I'm called names and told I'm childish by these two posters, partiuclary FHF as Rory isn't worth the effort half the time. I love how FHF throws in some grenades then claims some stance of innocent and valid poster. Standing up for Wales and your player seems to rile him up.

Its pretty clear Tuilagi went thro the Welsh defence quite a few times

Its pretty clear when Rory said he did ....you would have replied NO.............

Its pretty clear .............. you are consistent

FHF Manu didnt make any clean linebreaks so its pretty clear he didnt go through the welsh defence quite a few times. Look at the stats Rory posted you can see that. Now I would hope you would admit that Im not that one eyed and actually I agree with Morgs tah Rory has an axe to grind which he has been grinding since the first week of the championship. Manu cost England one try yesterday and despite his physicality couldnt breach the welsh defensive line. He constantly looks for contact instead of gaps, he rearely offloads out of the tackle, he didnt give an outside pass all game to his wings.

Tycroes mate,
Firstly it was a great match to watch, secondly well done to Wales , my accumulator is still on thanks to Scott Williams.

Secondly............ deffo you are nor biased or one-eyed, thats one thing I can say

Well unfortunately I was in the office when the match was on, but the flat screen was on and we did watch the game and I am sure Manu broke the Welsh line on a number of occasions, can't stake my sunday dinner on it but I will watch the match again after the Scotland game, which I am about to leave for!!. If Tuilagi didnt break the welsh line I will hold my hand up

As far as who threw the first toys out well I have a different version of events than you, as I said its been simmering for quite a while now and its getting bloody boring

All the best Tycroes COME ON SCOTLAND

hugo, I am not trying to argue that. I think it is a case of you seeing what you want to see, which is always the case when you have something to say about RP.

hugo124 wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:FHF all I have said is that I didn't see MAnu run through our defence, as you actually have to run through it. I am going to get around to watching the recording some time and will happily admit if I am incorrect. It's just I have grown tired from your pals anti-wales team comments after each game.

If you are actually trying to argue that Priestland is a good tackler then you are possibly the biggest idiot I have come across in this forum.You really just have to accept when someone is right , Rory is a realistic judge of players and you live in your little fantasy land where you see something that no one else sees.It would be quite funny if you weren't welsh but somehow I think you are.I personally think although not on form James Hook is a quality player and Priestland just isn't international standard.

Hugo I am Scottish

And you my boy should get out around the grounds of the UK and watch some rugby

And your final remark about Hook is all whats wrong with you, speak to Alyn (a guy that actually goes to all the Welsh stadiums) what he thinks of Hooks performances lately in a Welsh jersey

Priestland had an off day, granted a very off day but that does not make him a bad player. His performance against Ireland, after loosing the kicking duties, was very impressive and he was at the heart of the Welsh attack that drove them into Irelands half before the penalty was awarded.

Manu did knock some holes in our defence, but he didn't make any clean breaks. He gave England the much-cherished "go forward" , but the ball died with him almost every time (there was one good offload in the 1st half). Warbs and Scott Williams brought him down several times with low tackles and wraps from behind. I felt that Barritt was more impressive, frankly. Manu , like Jamie Roberts, can be sussed out by top-class defences and is deficient in passing skills and footballing nous.

Fair or unfair?

we won with 14 players v 15, and rp.

rp was not the real deal at the rwc. i will stand by my original opinion on biggar, he has more of the whole skill set for a 10.

and i would still like to see henson back ( i know hes not ready )

and samurai, my call for sjones was only for yesterdays game. he would have kept us in the right areas of the field in the last 20 mins. not on our own line.

samuraidragon wrote:Manu did knock some holes in our defence, but he didn't make any clean breaks. He gave England the much-cherished "go forward" , but the ball died with him almost every time (there was one good offload in the 1st half). Warbs and Scott Williams brought him down several times with low tackles and wraps from behind. I felt that Barritt was more impressive, frankly. Manu , like Jamie Roberts, can be sussed out by top-class defences and is deficient in passing skills and footballing nous.

Fair or unfair?

A pretty fair assessment Samurai, and Scott Williams certainly showed that if you can close him down before he gets a head of steam then you can negate his strength

Morgannwg wrote:hugo, I am not trying to argue that. I think it is a case of you seeing what you want to see, which is always the case when you have something to say about RP.

Agree with Morgannwg here.............. you seem to have a real downer on RP never praising him when he playes well and always the first to whack him with your proverbial stick when he has an off day

He's just won a triple crown

Says it all really.

This thread is just sour, I think it should be deleted.

slartibartfast wrote:He's just won a triple crown

Says it all really.

This thread is just sour, I think it should be deleted.

Its just the Welsh way, it might just be a coincidence but Wales have played a lot better since Priestland was put at flyhalf, hes had 1 poor game so far and a mediocre game against Australia, but lets look at the alternatives we currently have:

James Hook - last games he played at 10 for Wales were France and Australia in the world cup, I don't think anything needs to be said here about those games.
Stephen Jones - Again, last couple of games he replaced a misfiring Hook and was almost as useless.

But yeh, lets just crucify Priestland for having a bad game, or at least until we start producing cyborgs that make no mistakes.

IronMike wrote:

slartibartfast wrote:He's just won a triple crown

Says it all really.

This thread is just sour, I think it should be deleted.

Its just the Welsh way, it might just be a coincidence but Wales have played a lot better since Priestland was put at flyhalf....

It is coincidence. Or, at least, nothing to do with Priestland. The factors in Wales winning tough games now are along the lines of;

Warburton
Roberts/JD2
The defensive lines.
Halfpenny at FB.
Halfpenny taking the kicks.
Mike Phillips.
Warburton.
Ryan Jones finding form again.
The low tackling.
Warburton.

Priestland is an irrelevance, As much as it pains me to say it - playing the style of rugby we play now (very effectively) - we'd be better off with Stephen Jones.

Rhys Priestland has potential but the form he had in the RWC warm up games is looking more and more like a fluke.

Mr F

You make me smile

"we'd be better off with Stephen Jones."
hahahahahah...
.please stop

flyhalffactory wrote:Mr F

You make me smile

I thought you'd be back me up on this FHF!

I'm promoting SJ back in the starting XV!!!

One of Priestland's main strengths is playing whats in front of him.
Also his running threat creates a lot of space for the outside backs.
SJ, Biggar and Hook don't do any of those things

Mr F

I would agree with you, Gatland should have brought Jones on after 60 mins, but he never makes the right options does he? injuries have forced his arm in selection more than design...... its amazed me he isnt still picking Tango ahead of Roberts, Hook ahead of Jon Davies. or Martyn Williams ahead of Warburton

RP, Biggar, Morgan are the future....... Stefan Jones as well, maybe Tovey

Jones is now no longer the viable option..... ok he can still organise your side or even change a game, but he too old now, Hook never really was an option (as now everybody can see).......... so

Get your A side up and running and give some experience to your young guns

Gatland did say in the post match interview that he was going to pull RP off on 60 minutes and put Wellies on but that they decided it would be so detrimental to his development that he kept him on. He felt Rhys would learn more from seeing the game out than being hauled off. Personally I would have hauled RP off but I understand his reasoning in this case.

TycroesOsprey wrote:Gatland did say in the post match interview that he was going to pull RP off on 60 minutes and put Wellies on but that they decided it would be so detrimental to his development that he kept him on. He felt Rhys would learn more from seeing the game out than being hauled off. Personally I would have hauled RP off but I understand his reasoning in this case.

Just to let you know Tycroes, I do not have an axe to grind with Wales, as you said earlier. That is all.

I'll translate:

One of Priestland's main strengths is playing whats in front of him - by running into it and being turned over or give away a penalty.

Also his running threat creates a lot of space for the outside backs - of the opposition

SJ, Biggar and Hook don't do any of those things - so pick one, anyone, of them.

... ok i give up. Thats not even remotely true.